By Nadia | Febuary 2023
Getting a new set of wheels is always a great feeling but getting a set of wheels that are right for you can improve your skating experience tremendously! The truth of the matter is that there is no perfect wheel that is made for every kind of skating and there is no “one-fits-all” wheel. Wheels are specific to their discipline and to you. As you try more wheels you will find what better suits your needs as everyone is different, and wheels truly are a personal preference.
There are a few main factors to consider when you are buying a new set of wheels:
CIB Vertex Wheels
This is the most important question to ask yourself when you are buying new wheels: What kind of skating would you like to be doing? Currently, there are 4 primary types of wheels that you can choose from on our site: derby, outdoor, dance, and park. They all have different shapes and hardnesses that are beneficial to their discipline, but here is a brief breakdown of each kind.
DERBY
We have an entire page dedicated to choosing the right derby wheel for you here. There are a variety of different kinds with different benefits to each.
OUTDOOR
Outdoor wheels commonly come on skates made for recreational use and for beginners. They usually have a durable yet softer hardness and they tend to vary in size.
DANCE
These wheels are commonly smaller which gives you a lot more stability and harder so that they can roll around smoothly and with less grip.
PARK
Similar to dance in height and hardness but with different shapes that are usually more forgiving and agile so that you can maneuver the skate park and street obstacles with stability and speed.
*LED WHEELS*
Made for night-time skating in every way and being flashy in a rink. There are different size and hardness options available that are great for outdoor, dance, or park skating!
*HYBRID*
There are a few wheels within those 4 main categories that are designed for more than one discipline. Although they will not perform as well as a dedicated wheel, they do offer great value and time saved changing wheels.
Radar Crush Wheels
Wheel size is measured in millimeters (mm) and when we refer to wheel sizes, we are referring to the wheel's total height (aka diameter) and its width. A wheel's size would typically be displayed as 62x35mm, which would mean that the wheel is 62mm tall and 35mm wide.
HEIGHT
Taller wheels provide, facilitate, and maintain more speed and they also make going over cracks easier. Shorter wheels are more agile and provide more stability with less speed. Be mindful of very tall (63mm and above) or very short (57mm and below) wheels that may cause clearance issues with your plate.
WIDTH
Wide wheels are great for beginners as they offer more stability and grip but they are heavier and provide less agility. Narrow wheels are lighter, more agile, and less stable since they have a smaller contact patch.
Wheel hardness is also referred to as the wheels’ durometer and as the word, “hardness” suggests it is a number usually from 0-100 on an A scale that determines how “hard” or “soft” a wheel is. The number is usually displayed on the face of the wheel such as 78A. For more information on a wheel's durometer, visit our guide on How to Choose a Wheel Hardness.
HARD WHEELS
The harder the wheel, the higher the number will be and they will be faster, more durable, and easier to slide. Wheels that have a very high durometer are ideal for skateparks, dance skating, and rink or derby skating on surfaces that are already grippy themselves.
SOFT WHEELS
The softer the wheel, the lower the number will be and they will absorb more shock and provide much more grip. The softest wheels are great for outdoor skating, as they are perfect for rolling over cracks or harsher debris. In derby, soft wheels help maintain a grip on slick surfaces.
Hubs keep the integrity of the wheels together by supporting the urethane tire outside of it. Not all wheels include a hub however, common wheel hubs are made of polymers or alloy and come in a variety of sizes.
ALLOY
Alloy hubs are usually made of aluminum and they are very strong and reliable, although they are more expensive they will keep your wheels rolling for much longer. A stronger hub may be ideal and something to consider if you are a heavier skater as the wheels will retain their shape for longer.
POLYMER
Polymer hubs such as nylon hubs are very common as they are lightweight and cheaper to produce. Nylon hubs are also a lot easier to get bearings in and out of as they aren't as constrictive as aluminum hubs.
Also referred to as the wheel profile, the shape of a wheel is defined by its outer edge being squared or rounded and can greatly affect your performance. A square edge will offer more grip, power transfer, and stability, which makes them great for derby and speed skating. Round edges are more maneuverable and agile, which is ideal for outdoor and park skating. Ultimately, edges are a preference and may require some experimentation to find the right wheel for your personal skating style.
Nearly all roller skate wheels require 608 (8mm) or 627 (7mm) bearings. The only difference between them is their inner diameters, which relates to the size of your axles. 608 bearings are for 8mm axles, which are far more common, while 627 bearings are for 7mm axles. These are often referred to as "8mm bearings" and "7mm bearings".